Although most dog owners love their pets sometimes keeping their homes smelling fresh and clean can be a challenge. A doggie odor may be mild or smell so rank that it’s hard to stand the odor.
Worst Smelling Dogs
There aren’t certain breeds that smell worse than others. The only dog that doesn’t smell is a stuffed dog. Regardless if a dog is a purebred or mongrel, Chihuahua or Saint Bernard, it’s going to smell. However, the larger the dog is, the more odor. And, there are certain conditions that can intensify doggie odor.
Dogs with medical conditions – Medical conditions such as ear infections, dental disease, hot spots and demodectic mange can cause bad odors.
Dogs with open wounds – Open wounds, especially with maggots, can cause foul odors
Controlling Doggie Odor
Proper grooming – Besides regularly combing his coat, it’s important to regularly bathe a dog. Just as their mouths, dogs’ coats contain bacteria and germs, in addition to dander, loose hair and other debris.
Clean your house – Start by sweeping and vacuuming floors and carpets. Also clean all a dog’s possessions, including his mat where he sleeps and doggie dishes.
Wash blankets and bedding – Any item in the home that’s been contaminated with doggie odor should be washed.
Throw out filthy items – Unfortunately, there are some blankets and dirty items that are just too contaminated by a dog to clean.
Baking Soda for Doggie Odor
Baking soda is good not only for baking but also works in removing odors. By sprinkling baking soda on smelly carpeting and furniture and then vacuuming it the next day (after it sits overnight) smells can be eliminated. Add baking soda to laundry power for removing stubborn odors. When rinsing, add white vinegar to the rinse water for extra odor removal.
Checking Dog for Problem Causing Odors
Sometimes dogs have health problems connected to bad odors. For example, it’s important to clean and check a dog’s ears for smelly discharges or any strange discoloration indicating an ear infection that needs vet care. Fur problems could be another source of odor as dogs with severe flea or tick problems can develop foul smells on their skin. When shampooing a dog it’s important to use a flea and tick shampoo as well as repellent.
Good Oral Hygiene for Dogs
Just as their owners, dogs can also develop bad breath when they don’t receive good oral hygiene. By brushing a dog’s teeth at least once weekly owners can help remove mouth odors. Breath mints are also helpful. However, if odors persist, vet care may be needed. Often older dogs can have a gum that grows over teeth, trapping food and bacteria. This usually requires surgery.
Establish Doggie Boundaries
Most dogs love to cuddle with their owners. Usually this means jumping up onto a bed or sofa and sleeping there. However, if a dog is dirty and hasn’t had a bath, his odor can easily stick to fabric, contributing to a house’s foul odor. That’s why it’s necessary to establish some boundaries on where Fido can sleep. At first it’s hard, but owners need to clap their hands and shout a firm “No!” when their best friend tries to take over all the beds, chairs and sofas. Also, if possible, confine a dog to flooring as carpeting can quickly pick up doggie odor.
Besides being hard on human nostrils, dogs that aren’t groomed or checked for odors are unhealthy. For the sake of both owner and dog it’s important to not ignore doggie odor but do something about it.
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